People often say love waits for no one. Young people can take their time on dating apps or blind dates. Older people searching for romance do not have that luxury.
Seventy nine year old British aristocrat Sir Benjamin Slade decided not to wait. He released a public marriage proposal. Any woman who met his requirements could marry him and inherit his estate and fortune.
A Title, a Lineage, and an Inheritance
Sir Benjamin is the younger son of Sir Michael Slade, the sixth Baronet. His elder brother passed away before their father. Because of that, Benjamin inherited the title and family estate in 1962. The system of inheritance in British nobility is closely linked to the concept of a baronet. 
Despite wealth and status, Benjamin’s love life was far from smooth. His first marriage ended because he disliked his wife keeping seventeen cats. His second serious relationship collapsed after his girlfriend ran away with a handyman.
Although relationships came and went, Benjamin never had children.
Ending Love for the Sake of an Heir
By 2017, Benjamin felt time was running out. At seventy one, he ended a relationship because his partner was already fifty and unable to give him an heir. For him, producing a successor mattered more than emotional attachment.
Soon after, he placed a marriage advertisement in newspapers. Anyone who met his criteria could apply. The conditions, however, shocked many readers.
Strict Rules for a Future Lady
The first requirement was age. His future wife had to be at least twenty years younger than him. Women over forty were excluded. Those in their early thirties still had a chance.
Second, she had to be able to bear children. Benjamin openly stated that he wanted at least two sons. Three would be even better. He added that he had frozen his sperm years earlier, so fertility on his side was not a concern.
Then came the more specific demands.
From Height to Hobbies
Benjamin required his future wife to be taller than one point six seven meters. She could not be a Scorpio. She also could not read The Guardian, a British newspaper explained in detail on The Guardian.
He did not want a shy or timid woman. To impress him, she needed a gun license and a driving license. Being able to fly a helicopter would be a major advantage.
Social skills were also essential. He wanted someone who enjoyed ballroom dancing, bridge, and backgammon. Administrative ability mattered too. His wife would need to manage two castles. Knowledge of property management, law, or accounting would help.
Nationality Restrictions That Raised Eyebrows
Some requirements puzzled the public. He refused women from countries starting with the letter I if their national flags contained green. That ruled out Ireland, India, Italy, Ivory Coast, and Iran. Many believed this was a subtle reference to Irish history and politics.
Even so, Benjamin claimed his expectations were modest. He said he only wanted a kind country girl who understood life and could fit into his social circle.
A Salary That Sparked Mockery
Women who passed the selection process would receive more than marriage. They would earn an annual salary of fifty thousand pounds.
Online commenters laughed at the offer. He wanted a full time estate manager, surrogate mother, hunter, helicopter pilot, and much younger wife. In return, he offered what many called a modest wage.
Taking His Search to Television and Apps
To speed things up, Benjamin appeared on the British television program This Morning, which is documented on This Morning. He also tried online dating.
He asked staff to create a dating profile for him. He reduced his age and claimed he was fifty six. He browsed profiles and rejected most women quickly. Appearance mattered. Age mattered even more.
When he saw profiles of women in their fifties, he dismissed them outright. He compared dating to buying a car. He said no one wants an old used model when a new one exists.
The apps failed him. He blamed both the platforms and the women. At one point, he even made offensive remarks about the users.
Marriage at Last
Despite everything, Benjamin married in 2021. His bride was Sahara, a thirty year old American poet and songwriter. She met Benjamin through a London matchmaking agency.
Many wondered what she saw in him.
A Shared Urgency to Have Children
Sahara explained her decision clearly. She wanted a child urgently. She suffered from severe endometriosis. Doctors advised either a hysterectomy or pregnancy as treatment.
She chose motherhood.
She first approached a close male friend, but he panicked and withdrew. Other men wanted to take things slowly. Time was not on her side.
When she met Benjamin, both prioritized having a child. Their goals aligned.
Charm, Then Reality
During their first phone calls, Sahara found Benjamin charming and witty. She felt drawn to him. However, she did not know his reputation.
At the same time he discussed children with her, Benjamin was involved in legal disputes with two former female employees. They accused him of mistreating them during pregnancy and maternity leave. The court ruled in their favor. The judge described him in harsh terms.
A Daughter Without Recognition
After Sahara became pregnant, Benjamin began to suspect her motives. Influenced by relatives, he distanced himself and sent her back to live with her mother.
Their child was born. It was a girl.
Benjamin acknowledged paternity but refused to amend his will. He did not list his daughter as an heir. He provided only minimal financial support. His disappointment was clear. He wanted a son.
Still Searching for a Young Bride
Afterward, Benjamin resumed his search. He again posted invitations on social media. The comments were filled with sarcasm and jokes.
Yet Benjamin insisted he was serious.
Marriage as a Financial Strategy
He explained his reasoning openly. In the United Kingdom, inheritance tax can reach forty percent. Details of inheritance tax show how estates are affected.
The only way to protect his assets was through marriage. Property transferred to a spouse is tax free. A younger wife could inherit and later pass assets to distant relatives.
Insurance also played a role. He said older wives were harder to insure. A younger widow would benefit financially and help preserve his legacy.
He framed marriage as risk management. According to him, a young woman who shared his values had a fifty percent chance of success.
In the end, everything came down to business.
Whether love ever truly entered the equation remains doubtful.
